Playing Hooky

Writers: Halyonix, Heather
Date Posted: 14th May 2025

Characters: Saibra, I'serin
Description: The Dragonsfall Weyrleaders escape the Weyr for a day in the sun.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 5, day 19 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: R’enh, N’vanik, K’mai, K'reyel, Cyradis

Saibra

I'serin

Aluneth’s eyes were alight as I’serin tied one of the sacks to his
straps. The bronze’s mood was infectious -- he could not wait to have
this uninterrupted time to court his queen --, though there was still
some worry in the back of I’serin’s mind (when was there not some
worry?) that there would be some fallout with R’enh regarding this
later on. Still, they were only going away for a few candlemarks and
I’serin had to agree that some time away to relax would most likely
further cement their working relationship.

Saibra had zero reservations about leaving the cold, damp of
Dragonsfall behind for a few hours to sit on a lovely beach and roast
like a slow-turning wherry. She and K’reyel had done similar things in
the past, usually when Chioneth had to leave the Weyr for another
gold’s flight. Of course, she and K’reyel had usually shared an
intimate interlude, which she did not foresee happening with her
current Weyrleader.

Underneath her typical pants, sweater, and riding jacket, Saibra wore
a concealed swimsuit. She didn’t really want to advertise to the
entire Weyr that she and I’serin were zipping off to the beach. Not in
the middle of the “Holdless Crisis,” as some were calling it.

}:We’ll meet you there,:{ Chioneth said to Aluneth, sharing a detailed
mental picture of a lone stretch of beach. Aluneth rumbled his
acknowledgement.

The dragons took off with Aluneth following his mate’s lead. I’serin
looked down at the Weyrbowl, hoping reality would let them escape for
just a bit of time, before /between/ swallowed his vision.

The heat blasted him when they emerged, so surprising in its force
that I’serin gasped. As the dragons circled for a landing, I’serin
idly wondered if K’mai knew of this stretch. Maybe he should bring---

No, Weyrleader and lover had to remain separate. He could not risk
someone discovering them.

Aluneth landed on the sand and patiently waited for his rider to
unburden him. “The weather difference is startling,” I’serin remarked
to Saibra as he unpacked their supplies.

“It’s _amazing_,” the Weyrwoman sighed, peeling out of her coat, the
thick wool pants, the boots. In her favorite swimsuit, Saibra spread
her arms out, wanting as much of her skin as possible to absorb the
sun and warmth. “When Chioneth and I retire, it’s going to be on a
beach, for sure,” she determined, spreading the thin blanket she
brought with its multi-colored tassels on the corners.

Her mood was infectious. I’serin found his own mood lightening as he
watched her enjoy the change in climate. He slid out of his shirt but
that was all for him in that moment. He busied himself with unloading
Aluneth. “I did not commandeer quite as many snacks for us as I could
have,” he informed Saibra with a conniving left-sided grin. “I did not
want the Lower Caverns to wonder what we were doing.”

Saibra snapped her fingers and pointed at I’serin. “Smart man.” She
sprawled out on her blanket, lying on her belly, and folded her arms
underneath her chin. “Who’s to say this isn’t a ‘business meeting’? I
can talk, tan, and drink all at the same time.”

“Would that all of our business meetings be so pleasant,” he answered
with a small smile. He poured them glasses of a fruity wine from
Sunstone Seahold and raised his to toast with hers. “To Dragonsfall
Weyr?” he suggested.

“To Dragonsfall. And beaches. And unexpected promotions to
Weyrleader,” she said cheekily before taking a sip from the glass.
That last bit brought a slight flush to I’serin’s cheeks.

“Perhaps we will spot one of the pods out here,” he wondered as he
looked out over the glittering water. “Have you ever spoken with
dolphins?”

“I’ve met them before when I lived at Dolphin Cove. They’re
interesting creatures. I think if I hadn’t impressed, I should like to
be a dolphineer. Spending all day in the water sounds amazing to me.”

“Their intelligence has always astounded me,” I’serin agreed, “though
I think that, unlike you, I would be a poor dolphineer. I am not the
most confident swimmer. Aluneth is usually floating nearby after my
dives to fetch me so that I do not have to swim to shore.”

Saibra laughed at the mental image of Aluneth waiting patiently for
his rider in the water. “I think being raised at Far Island afforded
me a better opportunity for swimming, probably. Dragonsfall has two
beautiful lakes, of course, but neither are lovely for swimming.”

“By ‘lovely’ you mean ‘far too cold,’” I’serin quipped.

“Yes, as in, ass-freezing-nail-biting cold,” Saibra laughed.

“That _is_ a description that can be utilized,” I’serin chuckled. He
looked out over the water. “There are days when I wonder why I settled
in such a cold climate,” he remarked, still chuckling. “It does make
one feel grateful for weather such as this.”

“Well, when I’m not complaining about it, I’ve actually really come to
enjoy wearing the thicker clothing. Always needing a fire crackling in
the weyr. The triple cliffs and the way the snow sparkles on them.
Let’s not even mention the magnificent waterfall.” Saibra rolled over
to sun her other side. “Not to mention the people. There’s something…
hardy and tough about the people who live at Dragonsfall. I like
that.” I’serin nodded to all of that.

“My favorite is an evening with a warm cup of tea and a book while
watching the snow fall,” he admitted.

“It’s quiet and… intimate… in a way the pretty sand and water never
is, despite my love for it,” she said.

“Does R’enh enjoy beaches as well?” I’serin asked.

“Yes. He was at Dolphin Cove for turns before he moved to
Dragonsfall,” she answered.

“He and N’vanik must be friends then, yes?” I’serin had always
delicately approached the subject of R’enh because he did not want to
come across as misunderstood. He was genuinely curious but had learned
that some people translated a line of questioning as looking for an
angle to do harm.

“Yes, I would say they are. R’enh very much enjoyed being the
Weyrsecond at Dolphin Cove.” There had been times in the past when
Saibra had felt guilty for pulling R’enh away from it, but he was not
a man who let others tell him what to do. He had decided to come to
Dragonsfall, and nothing she said could have forced it or prevented
it.

I’serin mulled this over. “N’vanik has been a good…confidante for me.
I have sought out his advice for a few matters as a new Weyrleader.
His advice is usually on-point.” He paused and then admitted, “I would
have liked to work with R’enh as my Weyrsecond. I feel insight would
be equally as valuable.” And would have helped with the unification of
the Weyr. “But…I do not fault him for seeking another position.”

“R’enh wants to lead,” Saibra said simply. “And don’t take _too_ much
advice from N’vanik. He’s a bit cutthroat for my tastes.” She shot him
a toothy grin.

The young Weyrleader gave her one of his left-sided smiles. “Believe
me when I say that I take all advice into deep consideration. Each
leader is different, employs their own strategies and partnerships
when leading a Weyr. I do not think the dynamic that N’vanik has would
work as well here.” I’serin also did not want to straight copycat
anyone else. He wanted to find his own footing as Weyrleader -- well,
as much as he could with his father breathing down his neck. “Though,
I did discover that he has a beachside office. Which I believe you
would enjoy.”

“I’ve seen it,” Saibra shrugged, “it’s nothing like the view of the
waterfall. Although, I do love visiting Cyradis for her cintroncello
liquor. Dolphin Cove has special drinks and Dragonsfall has
dragontails. Faranth forbid we ever combine those two.”

“Perhaps we could. For just an afternoon,” he suggested. “I am certain
the two of them would appreciate some time away as well. Or at least a
dinner invitation.”

“Perhaps,” Saibra agreed. She always enjoyed seeing Cyradis.

She suddenly turned her head to I’serin as a thought struck her. “Have
you ever been ice skating on the Summer Lake?”

“No,” I’serin answered in a slow, curious, cautious drawl.

“Well, my dear Weyrleader, you are in for a _treat_. I’ll take you
next restday as long as you promise not to fall and break an arm or
something.”

“Imagine having to explain that escapade to the Weyr,” I’serin
chuckled. He looked out over the waves, to the two dragons enjoying
surf and sun, and exhaled softly, contentedly. “This was a wise idea,
Saibra,” he remarked.

“We should do it more often,” she agreed with a smile.

Last updated on the May 19th 2025

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Playing Hooky